Depend® Teams Up with Ken Griffey Jr. & Sr. to Inspire Early Detection and Open Conversation Around Prostate Cancer
Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. Join Emmitt Smith for the Sixth Year of Depend®'s Stand Strong for Men's Health Campaign, Supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation
CHICAGO, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prostate cancer affects one in eight men1 and can lead to bladder leaks, yet remains a topic many still find hard to discuss. This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Depend® is continuing its multi-year mission to break the stigma with sports icons Emmitt Smith and Ken Griffey Jr. & Sr. - raising awareness, sparking conversation and encouraging men to take charge of their health.
The Depend campaign continues to amplify the importance of early detection and emotional support. Smith and Griffey Jr. are no strangers to this mission – both men stood by their fathers during their prostate cancer journeys and are now using their platforms to advocate for screenings, treatment and open dialogue.
"One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer - and my dad was one of them. That makes this deeply personal for me," said Griffey Jr. "I want people to understand that a simple blood test can make all the difference. Detecting prostate cancer early gives men more options for treatment, with a better chance of success2, so I strongly encourage men to talk to their doctor about getting screened."
Smith echoed that call to action and emphasized the power of shared experience. "My father fought this battle, so I've seen how serious it is. Prostate cancer is as common as breast cancer, and for Black men the chances of being diagnosed are 70% higher. I'm proud to partner with a brand that creates space for real conversations in our homes and around our communities. By encouraging open dialogue, we can break the stigma, catch it earlier and save lives."
Since launching its Stand Strong for Men's Health™ campaign in 2020, Depend has donated more than $1 million to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The initiative helps fund critical research from the PCF that ultimately improves the treatment of prostate cancer. Now (Prostate Cancer Awareness Month) through November (Men's Health Awareness Month), Depend will donate up to $300,000 from select product sales3 to support PCF's critical mission.
"Watching my dad battle prostate cancer changed the way I think about health," said Griffey Jr. "Bladder leaks were part of that journey, and it's something we don't talk about enough. I want men to know they're not alone – and that products like Depend can provide the support and confidence they need to keep moving forward."
For men diagnosed with prostate cancer, research funded by PCF has led to breakthroughs in evaluation and treatment, such as the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-PET scan. This technology helps doctors find and monitor prostate cancer that might be missed with older imaging methods – often detecting it earlier and in smaller amounts.
More info about the Stand Strong for Men's Health™ initiative can be found at Depend.com/Stand-Strong. For more on the Prostate Cancer Foundation and how Depend® is helping to accelerate its research mission, please visit: pcf.org/depend.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries and territories. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what's important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. We are proud to be recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere for the seventh year in a row and one of Fortune's Most Innovative Companies in America in 2024. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company's more than 150-year history of innovation, visit the Kimberly-Clark website.
About the Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world's leading philanthropic organization dedicated to funding life-saving prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993 by Mike Milken, PCF has been responsible for raising close to one billion dollars in support of cutting-edge research by more than 2,200 research projects at 245 leading cancer centers in 28 countries around the world. Since PCF's inception, and through its efforts, patients around the world are living longer, suffering fewer complications, and enjoying better quality of life. PCF is committed to creating a global public square for prostate cancer, in service to our mission of ending death and suffering from the disease. Learn more at www.pcf.org.
1 According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation
2 According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation
3 Depend® will donate $0.25 to Prostate Cancer Foundation for each Depend® Guards, Depend® Shields and Depend® Real-Fit product purchased in the United States 9/1/2024 – 11/30/2024. Maximum Donation $300,000. NOTE: PCF is not registered in Mississippi, so the promotion will be VOID in MS. Visit pcf.org for more information.
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SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation